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Was just wondering if someone else has experienced this phenomenon on this kite. Was flying this kite this past weekend down in Asbury Park, NJ. The winds were HIGH around 15-17 mph based on the local forecast. Had this high wind kite (xt.z) with 80' X 150# lines with pure NNE winds. Was working on the Backspin trick. As the kite was faded on the right corner of the window and brought to the central window after the first backspin input the kite CONTINUED in a Backspin rotation INCREASING its rotational speed as it went from right to left. My problem was slowing the kite's rotation down to bale out of the move as it was rotating so quickly at times you absolutely could not tell when the NOSE was away to bale out! Has this happen to anyone else - these automatic backspins with no inputs in high winds with this kite? These high speed Backspins did not make their way past the central mid-window.

Plenty of kites will perform a Backspin-like manoeuvre once set in motion and one line kept taut given enough/some wind to keep them moving. It's usually more of a continuous Barrel Roll but sufficiently like what some would call a Backspin in these dark days.

I see the esteemed are ever correct zippy8 has beaten me to the drum (pun intended).

There are several kites which will do this.The C21X and Shadow come to mind immediately.Once the rotation is underway, simply holding tension on the one line will continue the trick. It's much more of a barrel roll than a true backspin, but the backspin trick name has been stolen from its rightful place and taken over by the more modern form. If the nose continues to basically point at the pilot, it should be called a barrel roll.

I always thought I got a line wrapped in a weird spot on the leading edge?

Seems to only happen in stiff winds and the tighter the line the faster the rotation and also seems to happen in the lower 1/4 of the window.I never was able to stop the rotation before it touches ground.

The only way I was able to bale out (at times) was moving forward with like a quick three step. You are right Winged V in the lower 1/4 or about 6-8 feet off the ground. Yes - Zippy 8 - an out of control barrel row was what this was ... I guess with this kite it seems to lock into this manuever - real easy. Looking forward to some lower winds to see how it performs a real backspin. This kite is the real deal on high winds - it was holding fades easy for 10 seconds or so in the corners in 15+ winds with only as few steps forward ... its a special high wind kite in my opinion with great sensitivity to inputs yet built like a tank with minor pulling ... can't really say anything else on the other models from this maker in lower winds ... to me its equal with the SD-Mid-Vent or SD-Vent in terms of overall performance in high winds. Just my opinion. Thanks again JB.

Plenty of kites will perform a Backspin-like manoeuvre once set in motion and one line kept taut given enough/some wind to keep them moving. It's usually more of a continuous Barrel Roll but sufficiently like what some would call a Backspin in these dark days.

As others have said, it sounds like you got into a barrel roll and then could not get the tension off the lines due to the high wind. No slack=no exit, unless you can tension both lines with the nose away, but; you found that out. This can really wreck a kite in a hurry if you happen to tension the lines with the nose forward.

Another option would be to yank on the already tensioned line and release to develop some slack and slow the barrel roll that way.

The xt.Z will do a very nice nose down backspin in lower winds than what you had if you start it before the lines get on the leading edges in the fade. And I am picky about backspins.

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